Puppy Mill Rescue
Posted: Oct 13, 2008 06:25 PM CDT
Nebraska City, NE - Survivors of abuse, neglect, and horrible living conditions. Dogs rescued from a life of torture now need a loving home.

Tildy is a tiny terrior who's lucky to be alive.

"She had two teeth left and they had to be pulled, part of her lower jaw is gone from infection," Carol Wheeler said.

Carol runs Hearts United for Animals, a shelter near Nebraska City. She rescued Tildy and hundreds of other neglected dogs. She found tildy living in horrible conditions at a Nebraska puppy mill.

Tildy's story is only the beginning. Carol rescued one dog who's mother chewed off his back feet.

"We see these types of things because the mothers are so stressed," she said. "Dogs that live in cages, kept only to breed and make money have very miserable lives."

What's worse, the bad economy has many puppy mills going out of business leaving dogs in even worse shape as owners abandon them.

"Tomorrow we could pick up 100 dogs," Carol said.

But Hearts United can't until they adopt enough dogs out to make more room. So more dogs like Tildy can learn what it's like to be loved.

Chihuahua Crisis

A few years ago, everyone wanted a Chihuahua. The popularity of the breed sky-rocketed. Breeders couldn't keep up with the demand, but that was then, and this is now.

Big time commericials and movies staring little Chihuahua's put the tiny pooches in high demand. But the popularity for the four-legged companion's has dwindled over the years.

Hearts United for Animals has rescued dozens of Chihuahuas from puppy mills because the demand for the breed just isn't there.

"Breeders are ridding themselves of non productive dogs and even dogs that are productive because they can't sell the puppies," said director Carol Wheeler.

Dogs like Carlos and Chaleena, who were rescued from a puppy mill a year ago and still need a happy home. While they may not be super stars, they still have the ability to light up a person's life

Hearts United fears this year's latest hit, Hollywood Chihuahua's, will start the cycle all over again. The shelter has 50 chihuahua's up for adoption.


Reported by Chriss Knight, cknight@action3news.com

ALSO A VIDEO TO VEW AT
http://www.action3news.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3022423&h1=Dogs%20in%20Danger% 3B%20New%20Homes%20Needed&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=120000&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=32375640